Soccer: SAFC’s late rally produces crucial, thrilling win

San Antonio FC used a late-match surge to turn what appeared would be another tough loss into a dramatic victory.

Forward Alex Bruce scored in stoppage time as the local club rallied for a 2-1 win Saturday over Portland Timbers 2 in a United Soccer League contest before 7, 244 at Toyota Field.

Bruce’s game-winner came moments after midfielder Omar Gordon tied it at 1-1 in the 86th minute.

“When we scored the first goal, we wanted the second one because that was important to us this evening,” SAFC coach Darren Powell said. “I can’t thank the players, the staff, the club and the fans for the help. We want them to keep believing and keep going.”

The come-from-behind victory proved crucial for SAFC (4-3-5), which moved into ninth place in the USL Western Division, only three points out of a tie for fifth a third of the way through the season.

Portland (7-4-2) snapped a scoreless game in the 50th minute when forward Augustine Williams converted on a penalty kick. The penalty was awarded when Williams made a run into the penalty area and was tripped up by SAFC defender Darnell King.

With time ticking down and a second straight loss appearing likely, SAFC got the breakthrough it needed.

Gordon gathered a pass from King at the top of the Portland penalty box, turned to his left and put a low left-footed strike inside the right post to make it 1-1. It was his third goal in as many league matches and fourth in four matches overall.

“It is one of the greatest feelings because when I’m out there, I think to myself that I need to score,” Gordon said. “First, we were down 1-0 and I knew any chance I got I had to put it in the back of the net. It was good to lift the spirit of the team and the fans to give us the energy to go forward in the last few minutes.”

SAFC added the game-winner a few moments later when midfielder Jose Escalante sent a pass into the center of Timbers 2’s penalty area that defender Arturo Diz Pe tried to head away. Bruce instead pounced on the poor clearance and put a low shot inside the right post.

It was the 19-year-old’s second goal this season.

“It’s an amazing feeling, definitely better than my first goal,” Bruce said. “Getting points for the team and just how hard we worked this week just showed out there on the field.”